BOSSES at Renfrewshire Council are considering a U-turn on parking rules in Paisley town centre...by allowing drivers to stay three hours for free on weekdays.

The local authority will also look into providing more electric charging points and disabled spaces, as well as improving signage.

Plans for a parking review, which should be completed by February, were given the green light at last week’s full council meeting.

READ MORE: Campaign calls for free Paisley parking

The decision was made after talks had been held between Renfrewshire Council and Paisley First – a non-profit organisation which has launched a campaign dubbed ‘Free for Three.’

The group has proposed three hours of free parking on weekdays to allow visitors time to shop, run errands or grab a bite to eat, while deterring commuters from dropping their car off and taking the train elsewhere.

At the moment, Paisley First’s campaign is focused on weekdays but it has said that, if there is demand from businesses and the public to include weekends, then it would be considered.

Councillor Cathy McEwan, convener of Renfrewshire’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “We are happy to look at Paisley First’s request and this will be along with considering current parking restrictions because there are many loading and taxi bays, as well as single yellow lines, that now may be surplus to requirements.”

The SNP member added that “engagement with the public and stakeholders” would be carried out during the review, while the “financial implications” would be considered.

Sandra Black, the council’s chief executive, cautioned elected members to be mindful of the cost of any changes to parking provision.

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She said: “There would be some quite significant financial implications for the council for some of the proposed changes to parking provision in Paisley.

“We are currently analysing the detail of the Scottish budget. I would like members to be fully aware of financial implications before they set their budget for next year because it would contribute significantly to a budget deficit.”